Category Archives: Just for Cats

Apr 13

Thanks to the efforts of our forefathers, we can perform better surgery thanks to better monitoring, safer anesthesia and better drugs.

Better Monitoring
A few decades ago, ensuring that a patient was alive during anesthesia was limited to using your senses: observing gum color, feeling pulses, watching the chest move. More recently, we borrowed from human medicine and started using EKG machines to monitor the heart. Today, most… modern clinics can also measure oxygen levels, blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and occasionally CO2 levels.

Better Drugs
There is no question that the anesthesia drugs we use today are safer than those used a few years ago. By combining several drugs, we can provide multiple benefits to the patient, while using lower dosages of each one. This is called balanced anesthesia. For example, when we do fancy orthopedic surgery on a pet’s knee, we might combine:

Feb 13

What is bothering your cat? It could be feline allergies

From food to pollen, a rundown of common cat allergies

Like people, our feline friends can develop allergies. This happens when their immune systems become sensitive to substances present in their surroundings. Known as allergens, these irritating substances may not bother you or other animals in your home, but as your cat’s body tries to get rid of the offending substances, he might show all kinds of symptoms.

Because there is such a wide variety of allergens, cat allergies are generally divided into 3 main categories: flea allergy, environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis), and food allergy. Flea allergy and environmental allergies – the ones that cause “hay fever” symptoms in humans – are the most common. However, cats often have multiple allergies, so a thorough examination by your veterinarian or veterinary dermatologist is recommended.

Nov 12

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer than ever before. However with this increased lifespan comes an increase in the types of ailments that can afflict senior pets. As pets reach the golden year…

s, there are a variety of conditions and diseases that they can face, including weight and mobility changes; osteoarthritis; kidney, heart, and liver disease; tumors and cancers; hormone disorders such as diabetes and thyroid imbalance; and many others. Just as the health care needs of humans change as we age, the same applies to pets. It’s critical for pet owners to work closely with their veterinarian to devise a health plan that is best for their senior pet.

To assist veterinary hospitals in offering optimal care for senior pets, AAHA has issued a set of Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. These guidelines provide a framework for veterinarians to provide optimal care for all senior pets. Major highlights of these guidelines are covered in this article.
When Does “Senior” Start?

So when is a pet considered a senior? Generally, smaller breeds of dogs live longer than larger breeds, and cats live longer than dogs. Beyond that, the life span will vary with each individual, and your veterinarian will be able to help you determine what stage of life your furry friend is in. Keep in mind that some small dog breeds may be considered senior at 10-13 years, while giant breeds are classified as seniors at ages as young as five. Your veterinarian is your best source for more information to determine when your pet reaches the golden years.

Welcome To Northwest Pet Clinic!

Northwest Pet Clinic

Northwest Pet Clinic is a veterinary animal hospital in Tucson. Our veterinarian practice has been proudly serving Tucson, Marana, Oro Valley, and Southern Arizona for over 35 years. With two convenient locations and emergency/urgent care services, coupled with extended hours, we are dedicated to serving our patients and clients with the highest level of care. Proudly voted the best vet in Northwest Tucson, come experience the Northwest Pet Clinic difference.

What Makes Us Different

As a progressive practice, our promise is to always provide our community’s pets with the most compassionate and experienced care. As an American Animal Hospital Association accredited practice, we join less than 15% of veterinary practices that go above and beyond what is required by the state to ensure our facility and protocols lead to the highest quality veterinary care available. Our well- trained staff is committed to continue learning the latest updated veterinary standards of care and to utilize the latest medical equipment available to us.

Technology & Education

Like human medicine, veterinary medicine is becoming sophisticated, complex and now includes many new technologies as well as specialties. We make every attempt as a premier Tucson vet to continuously upgrade both our facilities and our skills. Our team members regularly attend continuing education seminars to ensure their highest level of competency.

Northwest Pet Clinic’s doctors and team members would love to meet you and your furry family member. When needing a veterinarian in Tucson, make sure to give us a call to schedule a visit.

An Ounce of Prevention

Our doctors and team at Northwest Pet clinic are genuinely concerned and go out of their way to care about your pet’s welfare. From annual exams, baseline blood work, dermatology, dental care, elective surgery, senior care, wellness visits, x-rays, to vaccinations.

We take pride in the professional capabilities of each team member and they are carefully chosen not only for their abilities but also for their love and desire to help pets and their people.